Lian Friday January 18th, 2008 12:53:16 PM
Lian draws back his fist again, ready to pummel Parnoth, but catches movement out of the corner of his eye. He notices Gunther and then the bent and frozen corpse of Athalorn. His eyebrows contract, confused.
DM Jan Friday January 18th, 2008 1:16:33 PM He can hear voices, see movement; feel. But these senses are overwhelmed by what is happening within him. He looks past those gathered, toward the burning tree, and he wants to laugh. All that energy. He can feel it coursing through him - the entire might of Culverwood, every tree, every acorn, every last blade of grass, pulling for all its worth. He feels the third arrow hit, senses the splitting and dividing of slivers of wood, both within him and without, pushing and wrapping around his spine, extending outside his body, grabbing what lay below ground, latching on, and pulling him as hard as they could. Oddly enough, there is no pain to this, the battle of wills now encompassing everything. You want me? Then you're going to have to fight, my dear forest. Oh, yes, you are going to have to fight as you have never fought before.
The dire wolf whines softly as Gunther approaches. Athalorn's corpse looks like a large, partially charred bird, two parts of it blackened beyond recognition. The corpse begins to shift slightly, but there is no life here, the movement is because of the growing vibration in the ground. The cat trainer can feel it beneath his feet. Something deep.
Everyone feels it, but it is greatest around the tree and the fallen figure of Parnoth, disorienting everyone, forcing them to concentrate on their balance lest they fall. The green flames, roaring and consuming the branches, seem to pulse, giving off unbearable heat.
Bert suddenly realizes his hand is resting, not on human flesh, but on prickly, hardy green scales. Parnoth is attempting to change, his shoulders broadening, his nose becoming more prominant. The ground itself is beginning to jump and vibrate, shifting beneath Olana, Milo, Falin, Bert and Lian, and strong vines are now beginning to push out of the ground and curl around Parnoth's limbs. "Help me!" commands the dragon. His cry decidedly more urgent than the last.
Amidst it all, a purple gas flows smoothly from K'Nara's efreeti bottle, and the genie solidifies, hovering in the air. "Have you any idea how cramped it is in there? I feel like I've been stuck in that bottle for a millenium," it grumbles, glaring at both K'nara and Ingrge.
K'Nara (AC33; 141/143hp; Prt. from Fire) Friday January 18th, 2008 1:44:13 PM
The leader of the Emerald Dragons is clearly startled when the minor earthquake rumbles through the ground, turning around and finally catching sight of what is happening to Parnoth. Her jaw drops open and the question that Ingrge asks about Nikolai is the only thing that registers for an instant.
Then the efreet appears, sardonic as usual.
K'Nara blinks the dazed expression from her hazel eyes, glancing up at the floating fire elemental.
"You..." she addresses the efreet, "...you put out that fire! I want to save the tree if it's possible, so however you put the fire out, don't injure the tree even more to do it." Then the redhead turns to Ingrge.
"Yes. Make sure Nikolai is dead...sing out if he isn't." After speaking to the weapons mage, she goes over to where Parnoth is trying to regain his dragon form...where the other Emeralds are trying to finish the tyrant off.
There is something not quite right about this, but whatever it may have been was beyond K'Nara's meager means to detect. As she comes closer to where the green dragon struggles to survive, K'Nara sheathes Lucia and takes her short bow in hand.
"And so it comes to this." she says, looking extremely grim. "You tried twice to kill me and failed. Let's see if I have any better luck at returning the favor today..." K'Nara's right hand reaches up--not to the pommel of her sword, but to the top of her magic haversack. When she pulls her hand away, in it is a single arrow...
...an arrow whose aura whispered death to the verdigris-colored dragon.
Falin d20+38=51 d20+33=46 d20+28=38 d8+8=13 d8+8=12 d8+8=15 Friday January 18th, 2008 2:13:55 PM
Falin fires three more time just to mkae sure that nothing more can come from Parnoth. Aiming to where his heart should be.
AC 51 HP 13 AC 46 HP 12 AC 38 HP 15
Brother Bertram Friday January 18th, 2008 3:48:25 PM
Bertram steps back with genuine regret as the others converge, he then moves over to the still form of Athalorn lying on the ground, his charred body smoking slightly, the stench making Bertram fight not to gag. He looks down and for a moment there is a glimmer of fear in his eyes, then the dwarf drops to his knees and lays his hand upon the body and begins to pray.
Lian (AC 34+1+1, Hps 77/94, End Ele,Pro Fire) d20+19=36 d20+19=36 d20+19=21 d20+19=37 d20+14=26 4d6(5+2+5+3)+3=18 4d6(2+6+4+1)+3=16 4d6(2+6+2+3)+3=16 4d6(6+2+2+4)+3=17 4d6(4+2+6+2)+3=17 Friday January 18th, 2008 3:53:42 PM
"Parnoth, let the earth swallow you, but by Domi, may it keep you!" Tears well in the elf's eyes, not just for Athalorn, but for the multitudes of elves and others who died by his claw and tooth. For his parents, who also might be dead. For Merlot, noble friend. Pain, anger, regret, rage. But by no sense, mercy. A knuckle splits on a scale. Blood. A finger breaks within a clinched fist.
Activates boots.
Then Lian hopes to help by putting his marks upon the scaled tyrant. (Hits AC 36, 36, 21, 37 and 26, for 18, 16, 16, 17 and 17 dragon bane damage, breaks DR)
[Boots of Speed] round 4 [Dodge vs Parnoth] [Blessed Hands] [Stunning Fist 4 used] [-1 Hero point]
Lian Monday January 21st, 2008 10:33:10 AM
Pummels away until Parnoth is a bloody and unrecognizable pulp.
Ingrge Monday January 21st, 2008 4:42:50 PM
Activating his winged boots, Ingrge makes his way to where Nikolai fell and goes in to take a closer look.
Brother Bertram Monday January 21st, 2008 6:16:25 PM
Bertram continues his prayer vigil over Athalorn's charred remains.
Olana Monday January 21st, 2008 6:26:53 PM
Not wanting to hit Lian by mistake, Olana holds off with her arrows, watching with horro at the ground trying to swallow Parnoth up. If there's any sign of the green dragon starting to make some headway, then she'll attack.
"Lian, careful! We don't want the ground to take you, too."
His heart beats strong with the effort. And amidst the heady essence of Culverwood - in his mind and roaring as loud as the fire he'd once inflicted upon it - he attempts the change, grasping the inner power and strength he'd always had. Metamorphosis has always been easy, and he smiles, knowing this to be no different. He feels the shift, the change, the stretching of limbs, the utter, delicious energy and strength that enter his limbs on becoming his true form. He can feel the power, thrumming along with his heart, and his mind revels in the sheer intoxication of it, and he's too far gone, too dazzled and bewitched, to realize that it is not his heart that is beating.
Hovering before K'nara, the genie rolls his eyes. "Put out the fire, she says. Don't injure the tree, she says. What am I - a miracle worker? Stand aside, woman!" And with that - the etheral creature drifts over to the fountain and begins to draw a heavy spiral of water from it.
Over in the palace ruins, Ingrge has to clamber carefully amongst the wreckage, but yes - Nikoli is dead.
Meanwhile! The tree still burns - brighter and brighter, and the ground continues to thrum with energy. Falin's arrows mingle with what is now a frenzy of transformation surrounding the dragon, witnessed by K'nara, Olana and Milo. Lian's fists join in the dance of change. Now it is difficult to tell what is Parnoth, and what belongs to the thing below ground that is determined to have the upper hand. A green-scaled tendril snaps out, lashing at Lian's left hand before pushing him violently away, and abruptly a smattering of small green scales erupt on the back of his hand. Then, with one great, mighty heave, the tangle of vines pulls Parnoth below the earth and the ground shimmers, and jittering specs of earth bury everything, leaving no trace of what happened other than the strange, scaly scar on Lian's hand. At that moment, the fire in the tree goes out with a loud POOF! The tree is no more. Just a stump of ruined bark that, oddly enough, cradles an ornament. It is the gold, fake claw that belonged to the green dragon.
"Well, ooops!" says the disgruntled genie. "And don't look at me, you should have called me sooner."
Then, tiny little green shoots appear on the patch of loose earth where the green dragon was swallowed, and small, delicate white flowers begin to burst forth.
Over by the fallen form of Athalorn, the dire wolf, Gunther and Bertram keep vigil. Bert's hand begins to ache, building around the symbol of Gargul etched there. the atmosphere starts to grow cold.
Something is coming.
K'Nara (AC33; 141/143hp; Prt. from Fire) Monday January 21st, 2008 8:03:29 PM
The Arrow of Green Dragon Slaying remains in K'Nara's hand as her hazel eyes survey the scene in front of her.
The great tree was dead...or was it? The shoots seem to indicate otherwise.
As though in a dream, the redheaded human shuffles forward, dropping the unused arrow on the ground and, instead, reaching out to pick up the gold prosthetic that Parnoth had used: a hook shaped to resemble a dragon in mid-roar.
Even as she picks up the item, K'Nara's head snaps up at the change in the air.
"Now what?" she asks, half-irritated, half-despondent.
Falin AC 23 HP 66 Tuesday January 22nd, 2008 4:26:12 AM
Falin just watches as Parnoth is pulled down into the ground that is to become the evil dragons grave.
"From the dust we come and to the dust we must return." Falin says with a hint of anger on his voice.
Turning back to the situation around him Falin takes note of their fallen comrade. With the feeling of something about to happen Falin makes his way over to the fallen form of Athalon to see if their is anything he can do. He also keeps an eye out in case this is some sort of a fail safe built by Parnoth.
Lian Tuesday January 22nd, 2008 7:46:37 AM
The monk picks himself up from the tendril's blow and instinctively looks at Parnoth being pulled, finally, into the earth.
The hairs stand on his neck. Something is happening.
(OOC: The scaley patch on Lian's hand? Is it now a permenant feature? Which hand?)
Brother Bertram Tuesday January 22nd, 2008 2:30:42 PM
As Bertram prays his lips move silently saying the words to the one prayer he had hoped he wouldnt ever need again.
(Resurrection cast)
Gunther Tuesday January 22nd, 2008 9:42:33 PM
The cat trainer continues to morn the loss of his friend, completely ignorant of what has just happened to the tyrannical king of the Emerald Kingdom. Red blurry eyes look over at Brother Bertram as he prays. Him...we're going to see Him again. By the gods...him again.
K'Nara (AC33; 141/143hp; Prt. from Fire) Tuesday January 22nd, 2008 10:17:32 PM
The fingers clutching the gold claw of Parnoth tighten ominously as the tension mounts. K'Nara's hazel eyes narrow as she glances around, trying to discern who...or what...is coming.
Tuesday January 22nd, 2008 11:40:03 PM
As Bert's voice rises at the tail end of his spell, it might dawn on the others what is actually happening. It is a spell they've heard before, and one that will very well bring them before one of the Wold's most formidable presences. Time seems to slow as some of the others leave the site of Parnoth's demise, and their footsteps slow as they join Gunther and Bert beside their fallen comrade.
Lian's scaly green scar feels cold and hard to the touch, and seems embedded permanently into the flesh, but there is no pain, and movement of his LEFT hand does not appear to be hampered.
Ingrge Tuesday January 22nd, 2008 11:44:28 PM
Having made sure that Nikolai is truly dead, Ingrge activates his teleport spell and finds himself ten steps in fromt of Parnoth's Lair and treasure hoard.
Seeing no one else around, but sure that soon there will be a number of others wanting to loot Parnoth's riches, Ingrge seals the entry with a wall of stone spell leaving no appearance that there was ever an entry there at all.
Falin Wednesday January 23rd, 2008 11:31:47 AM
Looking over at Lian Falin says with a smile, "Now, if you start to have aspirations of taking over the forest and you begin to hate elves I am going to take you down."
Falin waits for the coming of a god.
Lian Wednesday January 23rd, 2008 1:25:12 PM
For the first time in a very long time, Lian curses, swearing at the scalely portion of his hand. Where his tattoo once was, now sits a permenant reminder of Ol' Greenie. "I'll need to test this sooner or later." He sighs. "It was my temper. Emotion." He says plaintiffly to himself. Then tries his blessed hands. (Is the flame obstructed?)
Turning to Falin, he raises an eyebrow. "What in the nine pits of hell are you talking about?"
Olana Wednesday January 23rd, 2008 4:30:31 PM
Olana reaches down and carefully pats the ground. "May blessed Culverwood keep the dragon for all time," she whispers. Sensing some kind of commotion over by Athalorn's fallen body, she walks over there.
Falin (2nd Post) Wednesday January 23rd, 2008 5:36:26 PM
Falin awkwardly clears his throat. "Lian, I was trying to poke some humor at the situation saying if you now started to exhibit characteristics of Parnoth. I appologize. It was poor judgement on my part."
The Realm of Shadows (Cayzle) Wednesday January 23rd, 2008 6:58:13 PM
As the death-defying magic takes hold, the Emerald Dragons find themselves pulled out of the Wold. Everything grows grey. Scents fade. The sky turns black.
You see now the rivulets of Woldsblood -- dark red in this place of greys -- that move across the landscape. Brother Bertram knows the way, guided by his magic, and may lead you on toward the Lands of Rest, downstream as the Woldsblood flows.
Brother Bertram Wednesday January 23rd, 2008 7:27:54 PM
Bertram looks around at the others, swallowing the lump in his throat forcing himself to relax. He looks to the others to lend encouragement as well as for support for himself. "We are almost there my friends. Just rest easy and let us see what Gargul has to say to our request." Bertram begins to walk downstream following the riverbed towards the home of Gargul.
K'Nara Wednesday January 23rd, 2008 8:07:17 PM
The tall chestnut-maned leader of the Emerald Dragons keeps step with the dwarven cleric, comfortable with following Brother Bertram wherever he may lead. She keeps clenched in her right hand the gold claw of Parnoth, a rather macabre talisman in this colorless world between worlds.
Gunther Wednesday January 23rd, 2008 10:56:13 PM
Drying his eyes and blowing his nose loudly onto his sleeve, the warrior follows along silently beside K'nara. There would be a price...there always was, but for Athalorn it would be worth it.
Olana Thursday January 24th, 2008 12:34:58 AM
Olana's eyes shift between Lian and Falin for a moment. She's about to say something, but is shocked into silence at the sudden change in scenery.
Trying her best to be brave, she takes Milo's hand for reassurance and follows the others into the depths of Gargul's realm.
Falin Thursday January 24th, 2008 4:49:15 AM
As he appologizes to Lian the ground seems to fall from beneath his feet and Falin almost falls over as they move between worlds.
Falin looks around at his surroundings. This is his first visit to this realm.
Lian Thursday January 24th, 2008 12:03:07 PM
"Not again! Why can't we just send a letter?!"
Brother Bertram Thursday January 24th, 2008 8:30:16 PM
Bertram moves along slowly, not worried about what was along the trail, merely apprehensive of what was about to occur.
Lian Friday January 25th, 2008 3:35:08 PM
In the mirk and haze, Lian closes his eyes and waits.
K'Nara (AC33; 141/143hp; Prt. from Fire) Friday January 25th, 2008 11:42:12 PM
K'Nara finds herself stowing her short bow and automatically clasping Gunther's hand with her freed left hand as she remembers the price she agreed to in order to have Borden the orc leader raised.
What will be the price this time?
Brother Bertram Friday January 25th, 2008 11:54:47 PM
Bertram forges ahead, still seeking the little stone cottage from his last visit.
Gunther Saturday January 26th, 2008 12:09:32 AM
Trying to keep his snuffles to a minimum, the warrior eagerly grasps K'nara's hand. His thumb gently caresses the back of her hand as he walks numbly through the eerie landscape. As if reading K'nara's thoughts, the big cat trainer's eyes sink to the floor. It had been his insistence about Borden that had made K'nara agree to give up their first born to Gargul. Not that he regretted the decision, but it had been a very, very dear price to pay. The freedom of his first child for an unknown player in a game that was well beyond his mental capacities to comprehend. Little demons of worry nibble at his brain...if Borden were to betray them...what will you do? Will you turn on your orc brothers? Clenching his teeth, Gunther temporarly banishes the worries... I will deal with it when and if I need to. Athalorn needs me now.
Simon Saturday January 26th, 2008 5:43:32 AM ....It's quiet round here....too quiet.
Lian Saturday January 26th, 2008 9:44:21 AM
Everyone LIMBO!!
K'Nara Saturday January 26th, 2008 10:53:25 PM
I'd say everyone's in Limbo.
Lian Sunday January 27th, 2008 10:00:42 AM
:)
Bertram Sunday January 27th, 2008 2:26:21 PM
Bertram grunts back to the to the others, "Limbo is farther south than this if I recall correctly"
Falin Sunday January 27th, 2008 7:40:11 PM
"I thought Limbo was near Purgatory. Or is it closer to the DeadZone?"
K'Nara Sunday January 27th, 2008 7:59:36 PM
"Limbo can't be near the Dead Zone, as that's copyrighted material by Stephen King...who doesn't exist in the Wold."
DM Jan Monday January 28th, 2008 11:18:16 AM
As the group pick their way across hard ground ribboned with slivers of red, the gaps between rock and rivulet widen, becoming more dangerous to traverse, and equally more seductive.
For the magic users, the Woldsblood siren song is getting louder, whispering, beckoning, closer, come closer, just one, deadly touch. It takes effort to stay on the path and not become swept away as a thousand dead souls float past on their way to rest.
As the streams widen, the red light grows, until it looks as though everyone is bathed in blood.
Straight ahead lies Gargul's domain.
Lian Monday January 28th, 2008 12:10:06 PM
The hand of Domi looks at the souls passing, waiting for Parnoth and possibly, Athalorn.
Brother Bertram Monday January 28th, 2008 3:02:13 PM
Bertram continues forward trying not to look to the left or right, just focusing on the path. And on the burning feeling coming from the Eye of Gargul on his hand.
Ingrge Monday January 28th, 2008 9:05:19 PM
Having been up at Parnoth's lair when the casting was happening, Ingrge is a bit surprised to find himself in the otherworld and even more surprised to find himself so close to Gargul's place. Looking around quickly he sees his fellow Dragons making their ways to join him and he hastens backwards a bit to join them, not wanting to be singled out by the lord of this realm.
K'Nara Monday January 28th, 2008 10:03:05 PM
K'Nara suddenly gets a brief mental image of a mini-cleric hiding in the middle of a vineyard and wondering if she ought to just charge some unsuspecting assassin that is apparently after at least one of the other people she's with.
Then the leader of the Emerald Dragons shrugs it off--it was probably just a result of the beef jerky she'd eaten on the march to Emerald City.
Gunther Tuesday January 29th, 2008 12:28:17 AM
The warrior crouches into a combat stance as he feels K'nara tense ever so briefly. Though he knows he shouldn't be so tense, it's almost impossible to relax in this place. His eyes cut to the river of red blood that flows continuously forward and he can't help but wonder where Athalorn is in that ever flowing current.
Lian Tuesday January 29th, 2008 9:31:06 AM
The elf removes his tears from his hair and places the headband back onto his head, tied like a pirates bandana, plat locks hanging from under it. The scenes of blood, while slightly disturbing, aren't threatening the monks sanity at this moment so all is well.
Lord of Life and Death (Cayzle) Tuesday January 29th, 2008 2:26:06 PM
[OOC: Profound apologies for the delay! - Cayzle]
Bert is not surprised to find that things are different. Stories say that Gargul is a traveller, and you might meet him in many different places.
This time the journey is long. For a long while the party travels on into the Shadows. At first you see the Wold among the shadows -- you feel almost as if you could reach in and touch the mortal realm, like a ghost.
But as you travel, the Wold proper fades away into shadows. The small streams of Woldsblood combine, merging into rivulets and streams. Brother Bert leads you along streambanks and to places where you can step over. But you never actually touch or walk into the Woldsblood.
Still, you see sparks flowing in the rich-smelling, dark red liquid. Those sparks are souls -- moving to the afterlife, or swimming upstream to be born.
You continue to walk downhill, as if out of rounded mountains. At last you see a glowing red smudge on the horizon. Then a line. Then a shore. You have reached the wold-girding Sea of Woldsblood, which surrounds the Wold. Across this sea are the Lands of Rest.
And at least you see a sign that people -- or at least builders -- have been here. There is a dock, jutting out into the sea. At the dock there is a ship. and standing on the gangplank is a tall strong man clad in black travelling leathers. His skin is dusky and his hair is black. You sense that this being is Gargul, formerly called Gargullus, the god of death and life.
"Come closer, travellers!" he calls. "Tell me your names and your errand."
Brother Bertram Tuesday January 29th, 2008 3:00:36 PM
Bertram moves forward slowly then kneels with his hand with the Eye upon it. "Hail Mighty Gargul. I am Bertram Trothgard, your servant and that of your friend Domi. We have come seeking a boon should you choose to grant it. These are my companions, and together we form the group known as the Emerald Dragons." As for what we ask.. Bertram swallows then goes on, "We ask for the return of the soul of the Emerald Dragon knows as Athalorn who was slain in battle not long ago." Bertram then motions the others up to introduce themselves.
Lian Tuesday January 29th, 2008 3:58:09 PM
"I am Lian Siannodel, hand of Domi and friend of Athalorn.
I would also like to ask a question of this ailment as well and what it might mean." The elf shows Gargul the scaley patch on his hand. (OOC: Still haven't got an answer whether the tattoo seems to function or not.)
K'Nara Tuesday January 29th, 2008 4:37:57 PM
The tall redheaded human female steps forward and executes a graceful bow in the style of the elves.
"I am K'Nara Illutu, if you please," she introduces herself, "I am honored to lead the group now known as the Emerald Dragons. Brother Bertram has the way of it--we come to ask that our brethren, the druid Athalorn, be allowed to return to the land of the living."
Gunther Tuesday January 29th, 2008 10:21:46 PM
Reassured by K'nara's confidence, Gunther shyly approaches. "Gunther Grell, sir. And like the others said, we'd like to ask that our friend Athalorn be returned to us." Puffy swollen eyes meet with the god's for the briefest of seconds.
Falin Wednesday January 30th, 2008 4:02:02 AM
"Falin Darkshine, sir", says Falin after bowing to the god of life and death. "Here on behalf of our fellow travelor and friend Athalorn."
Lian Wednesday January 30th, 2008 12:07:55 PM
"My humble apologies, yes, my hand is not really important. We would ask for the druid Athalorn who has only quite recently returned to us from a personal journey of his own."
The Required Vow (Cayzle) Wednesday January 30th, 2008 6:17:55 PM
The awe-inspiring figure nods. "Emerald Dragons. Yes. I think I have heard of you."
"Bertram, my follower, do you vouch for these, and especially for the druid you seek to restore? By which I mean, that you respect my domain, traffic not in Woldsblood, suffer not the willing undead, tamper not with the boundaries of life and death, at least not without permission?"
If you make a Knowledge Religion roll vs DC15, then you understand that he means things like Highlight to display spoiler: {creating intelligent magic items, creating undead, casting clone spells, speaking with or calling the dead back to the Wold. Other possible offenses, depending on the interpretation, could include travelling to the Lands of Rest. using or touching Woldsblood, being a witch, and allowing fey to dwell too long in the Wold.}
"As you grow in potency, oh Dragons, you will gain also in the ability to transgress. Most mortals could not offend me even if they willed to. But with the greatest of magics comes the potential to interfere with the very workings of life and death. Be mindful, then, of that which is not yours to touch."
Then he nods, and Athalorn emerges from the shadows [OOC: Athalorn may -- and should -- post].
"And you, Athalorn, have you respected my prerogatives? Especially, have you ever cast Reincarnation without consulting me? Will you vow to never do so?"
"If you will so vow, then: state your vow, call upon myself or some other Power you honor as a witness, and name the consequences that you call upon yourself should you ever break your vow."
Brother Bertram Wednesday January 30th, 2008 7:32:04 PM
Bertram nods once, "A lump growing in his throat seeing Athalorn moving forward. "Aye Lord, They are all good people just trying to make a better world. I reaffirm my vow to live as you command Lord Gargul." Bertram bows and steps backwards, his fist clenched tightly around the glowing eye in his hand.
K'Nara Wednesday January 30th, 2008 11:31:48 PM
K'Nara, not having any real learning in the ways of religion, only knows that Gargul has already asked for the service of her firstborn to his temple, and K'Nara promised that she would make sure it was done. She admits to herself that she doesn't want to promise away any other person's life to the god, and holds her tongue.
Gunther Thursday January 31st, 2008 12:23:41 AM
Intelligence definitely far down on his list of notable attributes, the warrior is completely clueless about what Gargul is indicating. His only hope is to keep his mouth firmly shut lest he say something incredibly stupid and hope that later his Brother would explain to him what Gargul wants. Jaws clinched, Gunther reaches instinctually for K'nara's hand and waits to see what Athalorn has to say.
Athalorn Thursday January 31st, 2008 1:39:14 AM
His long, unkempt hair and ragged clothes looking discernibly cleaner, and his pale skin seeming somewhat more robust, the druid steps forward. Tears stream down his face as he sees that all the companions had made this journey for him, a relative newcomer to the powerful group. His death had been an idiotic mistake on his own part, and now the group was here, them all, to ask for him back. It had been a quick and strange journey through the Woldblood; and he had been plucked from the rivers by Gargul.
This was Gargul. And what was he demanding? "My friends. My family, I...." he pauses, unused to such displays of emotion, and his eyes settle on Gunther and K'Nara. She was unusually quiet here, with this God. Had she met him before? And Gunther, his oldest friend. He would be feeling so out of place...
"I am grateful beyond words that you travel to this place for me. My death was reckless. Lord Gargul. I have indeed cast reincarnate before, but shall vow not to do so again without your blessing. As for the others," his eyes rest on Ingrge in particular, "I cannot speak for them. Such uses of life and death have aided us before. I know that I would like to see the Culverwood kept safe a while longer, watch it thrive."
Falin Thursday January 31st, 2008 2:02:35 AM
Listening to Athalorn speak, a warm smile spreads across the sharpshooters face. He had not known the man long, but he was proud to call him friend and he was elated that they would soon be bringing him back to the Wold of the living.
Gargul (Cayzle) Thursday January 31st, 2008 4:59:34 AM
He listens carefully to Athalorn, and he says only, "Then say your vow."
[OOC: Note that the god expects a formal vow. For examples, please see the Oathbound -- look under Class Features for "Oaths." Note that you do not need to be an Oathbound to swear an oath. Anyone can do it.]
Lian Thursday January 31st, 2008 10:41:01 AM
The monk has been here before... the oath. He's watched it at least once before. Uncomfortable.
Swearing to a promise which should not be broken is a powerful thing, but the fact that the oath might, one day, have to be broken without a choice is something to consider. A decision requiring thought.
The elf watches his friend.
Athalorn Thursday January 31st, 2008 12:25:34 PM
The druid nods, both in thanks to his friends and in acknowledgment of Gargul. he wasn't always the best woth words, so he tries to form some semblance of an oath.
"I Athalorn of the Great Culverwood, in the name of the spirit of the Culver and in the presence of Gargul, will not...." he pauses, trying to choose the appropriate words, "interfere with the principles of death, as it is a transgression on the natural order of things, lest I be returned to the ground of the forest from which I come."
He sweats visibly, unused to such protocol, and certainly uncomfortable with an audience.
Gargul (DM Cayzle) Thursday January 31st, 2008 3:51:13 PM
"Very well, you have spoken true, druid. Return now to the Living Wold -- and treat your life as a precious gift, not to be thrown away."
[OOC: If you have any final words for Gargul, say them now.]
Brother Bert leads the way back home ... and Athalorn comes with the party.
Lian Thursday January 31st, 2008 4:59:48 PM
"In the battle which Athalorn perished, I acquired this patch of scaly skin on my hand. What does it mean, Lord Gargul?"
Brother Bertram Thursday January 31st, 2008 6:40:49 PM
Bertram bows deeply one last time and prepares to return. His heart is lightened at the return of thier Druid companion. He grips his axe firmly and turns away from the shore. He feels the smile growing beneath his thick beard and never doubts it as he readies his companions to travel home.
K'Nara Thursday January 31st, 2008 8:41:10 PM
The human blade singer pauses, looking at Lian and then Gargul with great interest. Personally, she was thinking that Lian's scaly skin might have something to do with "the heartbreak of psoriasis"...but then she remembers that there are no such things as televisions in the Wold, and so there couldn't possibly be any hidden TV commercial references.
LOG ON